European ICOC Teaching Ministry Includes Women 

An interview with Triin Leesman

By Tammy Fleming – Kyiv, Ukraine

What does a woman teacher do in our fellowship? What avenues are open to her? Triin Leesman, women’s minister in the 135-member Tallinn church of Christ in the European nation of Estonia -- Tallinna Kristlik Vabakogudus in the Estonian language – is just one of the many women on the forefront of our fellowship exploring these possibilities. 

The small Tallinn church went to great lengths to serve our larger fellowship this past summer, when they undertook the duties of hosting an international Teaching Ministry Conference in August (2021). I had the opportunity at that event to interview Triin and find out a little more about what it’s like for her to be a woman in her role as part of the newly established Teaching Ministry Group in the Tallinn ICOC.  I asked Triin a few questions during a break from her responsibilities at registration on the first day of the conference, and filmed her responses.  

The Teaching Ministry group in Tallinn is made up of three people: Triin, who is known to all in the church as a lover of God’s word, gifted with insight and able to teach, and two brothers: Mati Simm, who was converted in the first days of the Tallinn church planting, and Reto Zingg, who moved to Tallinn from the ICOC in Zurich, Switzerland, several years ago. 

It was very interesting to learn that, at the moment, Triin is serving in her teaching role mostly in an advisory and preparatory role, not so much as a woman actively publicly teaching. I asked her, “if I were a woman in your congregation, how often would I hear a woman teach?” Triin’s answer – not very often, actually. She told me that it used to be once every three months that the women would have chance to hear women teach and preach on topics especially relevant for them, speaking specifically to their needs; but since the Teaching Ministry has been officially recognized, the church has so loved the deeper biblical teaching series, they have not wanted to divert from that. Prayerfully they will return to the intentional practice of women hearing women teach on a regular basis soon. 

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26) May this ideal become the true and lasting legacy of our sister Triin, and all those of us who value deep, meaningful biblical teaching in our churches.  

More opportunities to learn

You can listen to the lessons of the Tallinn Teaching Ministry Conference here: More opportunities to learn

If you are a person who loves deeper Bible study, consider registering now for the upcoming hybrid ICOC International Teaching Ministry Conference entitled, “The Art of Scripture Reading,” February 24-17 online and in person in Orange County, California. Registration is open now at https://icocteacherconference.com